Richard J. Laird, listed in records as a Largo transient, met the girl at a mutual friend's house on May 28, according to court records. Laird and the teen, who was intoxicated, then headed to Cooper's Bayou off the Courtney Campbell Parkway in Clearwater, where Laird is accused of sexually abusing her, records show.

A warrant was issued for Laird's arrest on July 5. On Tuesday afternoon, Pinellas County sheriff's deputies arrested him at 12333 Enterprise Blvd. in Largo, an arrest affidavit shows.

Laird faces a lewd and lascivious battery charge. He was booked into the Pinellas County jail, where he remained Wednesday in lieu of $50,000 bail.